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Dimitrije Vasiljevic

Dimitrije Vasiljević is a New York-based award-winning pianist and composer who has been hailed by jazz masters as one of the most promising names in the jazz world. His is a new voice combining the gentle flavor of European jazz with intricate musical landscapes full of exotic rhythms and sophisticated harmony. This multi-talented pianist is today among the most exciting new artists on the NYC jazz scene.

From his native Serbia, where he was a member of prominent jazz ensembles and performed extensively throughout Europe, Dimitrije’s journey has taken him to Berklee College of Music in Boston where he received a number of prestigious awards including the Jazz Performance Award and Piano Department Achievement Award. Dimitrije then completed his master's degree in Jazz Performance at NYU where he was also an adjunct professor of jazz. Currently, he is pursuing studies for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Jazz Division of the University of Illinois School of Music.

Dimitrije is performing extensively at renowned jazz clubs and concert halls in New York City and in spring 2014, he had a very successful debut at Carnegie Hall, as well as concerts in United Nations and Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In April 2013, he released his debut album as a leader "The Path of Silvan" consisting entirely of his original compositions. Prior to moving to New York City, Dimitrije has headlined performances at many jazz venues and festivals in Europe among which are the Norrtelje Jazzdagar (Sweden), the Miskolc and the Bohem Jazz Festivals (Hungary), the Gmunden Festival (Austria) and the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), where in 2008 he was selected as one of twelve finalists to compete at the prestigious "Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Competition” – and won both third jury prize and the audience prize. Dimitrije performed with the jazz greats such as Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Marko Djordjevic, Klemens Marktl and Brad Shepik.

Dimitrije Vasiljević's music can be described as an original music mixture that incorporates modern jazz and traditional Balkan music resulting in a perfect synthesis of modern jazz and world music. Drawing on mythology and the past for his inspiration, Dimitrije seamlessly combines his talents as pianist, composer and arranger to create his original musical expression and contemporary sound.

Awards

"Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Competition" 2008 - third jury prize and the audience prize.


Tags

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Album Review

Dimitrije Vasiljević: Metaphor

Read "Metaphor" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


The second solo piano release by composer, pianist and Serbian native Dimitrije Vasiljević, Metaphor seems to embody the very best of the European (Eastern and Western) and American classical and jazz piano traditions. With his austere yet light approach to melody and rhythm, Vasiljević reflects both emerging pianists such as Eldar Djangirov and more longstanding stalwarts such as Keith Jarrett. In fact, Vasiljević studied under the same jazz piano professor who instructed Jarrett, Joe Zawinul and Chick Corea ...

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Recording

CD Release: Dimitrije Vasiljevic's "Metaphor"

CD Release: Dimitrije Vasiljevic's "Metaphor"

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

Dimitrije Vasiljevic's new album Metaphor has been released in the United States on July 22, 2014 and is now available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and Google Play stores. Metaphor is a contemporary jazz solo piano album influenced by classical music aesthetics and a touch of Balkan traditions. Compelling original compositions radiate a vivid blend of artistic virtuosity and a delicate music thought which send the listener on a musical journey filled with varying emotions. French pianist Jean-Michel Pilc praises ...

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Performance / Tour

Dimitrije Vasiljevic Performed At The Kennedy Center As Part Of The European Month Of Culture

Dimitrije Vasiljevic Performed At The Kennedy Center As Part Of The European Month Of Culture

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

Serbian pianist and composer Dimitrije Vasiljevic held a solo piano concert on May 12, 2014 at the the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. This event was part of a series of concerts held at the Millennium stage in celebration of the “European Month of Culture" in which artists from many European countries participated. Vasiljevic performed his original compositions “Ellipsis", “Ditto", “Ocean Express" and “Wardenclyffe". He also premiered his latest piano composition “Sacré-Cœur", introducing it in the program with words “broken ...

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Event

Dimitrije Vasiljevic To Perform At The Kennedy Center As Part Of The European Month Of Culture

Dimitrije Vasiljevic To Perform At The Kennedy Center As Part Of The European Month Of Culture

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

On the occasion of the European Month of Culture, pianist and composer Dimitrije Vasiljevic will perform in Washington, D.C. in a solo piano concert presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with the Embassy of Serbia in the United States and LeitmotivArts. Vasiljevic will perform his original compositions from his upcoming solo piano album as well as works of some well-known American jazz masters in his own arrangements. Prior to moving to the United ...

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Event

United Nations Celebrated The International Jazz Day With Rhythms Of Balkans, Samba And Bossa Nova

United Nations Celebrated The International Jazz Day With Rhythms Of Balkans, Samba And Bossa Nova

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

The annual International Jazz Day was celebrated at the United Nations Headquarters in New York with a concert of Dimitrije Vasiljević, award-winning jazz pianist and composer from Serbia. April 30th was first introduced in 2011 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on the initiative of one the jazz greats, pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, and has become a global tradition ever since. Vasiljević enthusiastically accepted the invitation from the United Nations and in the best way ...

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Event

Dimitrije Vasiljevic Solo Piano Debut Concert In Carnegie Hall

Dimitrije Vasiljevic Solo Piano Debut Concert In Carnegie Hall

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

Dimitrije Vasiljevic masterful jazz pianist showcases engaging and meditative compositions in his solo debut at Carnegie Hall in jny: New York on March 24, 2014 at 8pm. Vasiljevic is an award-winning (Montreux Jazz Festival), New York-based jazz pianist and composer whose “iridescent and captivating music” (All About Jazz) weaves Balkan motifs into the subtle flavors of European jazz. Hailing from Serbia, this Berklee College of Music and NYU Steinhardt graduate is rapidly garnering international acclaim for his virtuosity and emotionally ...

Performance / Tour

Dimitrije Vasiljevic Quartet Performs At The Iconic Metropolitan Room In NYC

Dimitrije Vasiljevic Quartet Performs At The Iconic Metropolitan Room In NYC

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

Fresh off holding a sold-out solo piano concert in October, Dimitrije Vasiljevic will again join forces with his jazz quartet for a performance at the iconic Metropolitan Room in New York City on November 11, 2013. Dimitrije Vasiljevic is a New York-based award-winning pianist and composer who has been hailed by jazz masters as one of the most promising names in the jazz world, combining the gentle flavor of European jazz with Balkan motives. Jean-Michel Pilc, an accomplished pianist and ...

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Performance / Tour

Dimitrije Vasiljevic To Perform Solo Piano Concert at Tenri Cultural Institute on Oct 11

Dimitrije Vasiljevic To Perform Solo Piano Concert at Tenri Cultural Institute on Oct 11

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

Dimitrije Vasiljevic, New-York based award-winning pianist, will hold a solo piano concert on October 11, 2013 at 8pm at Tenri Cultural Institute of New York. This jazz concert will include Vasiljevic’s own compositions as well as several original arrangements of songs by Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Dimitrije Vasiljevic is performing extensively at renowned jazz clubs in New York City and had a successful release performance of his debut album The Path of Silvan at club Drom in ...

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Performance / Tour

Dimitrije Vasiljevic, Pianist And Composer, Promotes His Debut Album In NYC

Dimitrije Vasiljevic, Pianist And Composer, Promotes His Debut Album In NYC

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

Dimitrije Vasiljevic debut album as a leader, The Path of Silvan is set for release on September 24th at jny: New York City's club DROM. This album consists entirely of original compositions. Cover song “Silvans' Dance“ which was AllAboutJazz.com featured as download of the day in August 2013 was the #1 downloaded song for the entire month of August. Praised by many jazz masters such as Jean-Michel Pilc, Laszlo Gardony, Brad Shepik, Andy Milne and others, this album is receiving ...

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Recording

New York-Based Jazz Pianist Dimitrije Vasiljevic's Debut Album, "The Path Of Silvan" Now Available

New York-Based Jazz Pianist Dimitrije Vasiljevic's Debut Album, "The Path Of Silvan" Now Available

Source: Danijela Milic/LeitmotivArts

In April 2013, Dimitrije Vasiljevic released his debut album as a leader, The Path of Silvan, consisting entirely of his original compositions. Silvans are said to be mythical creatures who led ancient Serbian knights from the darkness to the light. This album represents a fine mixture of modern jazz and Serbian traditional music from the Balkans. A gentle flavor of European Jazz added to it resulted in creating marvellous and intricate musical landscapes full of exotic rhythms and sophisticated harmony. ...

LINER WORDS AND QUOTES ABOUT "METAPHOR":

"Dimitrije's music occupies a unique space somewhere between the classical piano tradition and jazz. Whatever you want to label this music, it's beautiful, full of bright melodies and strong rhythms, and his command over the piano is astounding." Chris Potter

"Astonishing virtuosity, unique personality and straight to your heart sensibility. Dimitrije has it all and is a new force to reckon with. I am a fan." Jean-Michel Pilc

"Possessing tremendous command and control of the piano, Dimitrije Vasiljevic has forged a strong, unique and personal musical identity. Dimitrije is definitely a contemporary pianist to watch out for!" Martin Bejerano

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

New York City

Credentials/Background

Adjunct Professor at New York University. Private lessons, all levels.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Metaphor

Self Produced
2014

buy

The Path of Silvan

Self Produced
0

buy

Ellipsis

From: Metaphor
By Dimitrije Vasiljevic

Silvans' Dance

From: The Path of Silvan
By Dimitrije Vasiljevic

Videos

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